Release Blitz + Excerpt + Review: "Tempted by Love" by Melissa Foster

Today, I am very happy to participate in the release blitz promoting Melissa Foster's latest novel, "Tempted by Love," book #1 of the Steeles at Silver Island series. This book is related to a number of Foster's previous series as part of her Love in Bloom world. It does read as a standalone, but there are quite a few secondary characters from earlier stories to keep track of in this one. As a new reader of Foster's work, I found that aspect to be a bit of a challenge at times. There is a family tree included at the front of the book (with a larger PDF version posted on Foster's website), but even so, I suspect there are some parts of this story that longtime fans of Foster's work will appreciate more than I did.

That said, I adored this sweet, emotional story with its endearing, well-developed characters and compelling plot. Main characters Jock and Daphne had both suffered a great in their past relationships and deserved to find some happiness, so I found it very easy to cheer them on to their HEA. While Jock's history was tragic and I certainly empathized with his losses, I found it incredibly easy to relate to the body image issues Daphne expressed as a result of her ex-husband's verbal abuse. It was wonderful to see her overcome those and start to see herself as beautiful through Jock's eyes. Jock's relationship with Daphne's young daughter, Hadley, was another highlight of the story. Hadley was a true scene-stealer and reminded me of several toddlers I know in real life because of her insistence on doing things herself. I chuckled every time she said "I do it!" and smiled every time she called Jock "my Dock."

Daphne and Jock's romance was obviously central to the story, but Jock's efforts to reconcile with his twin brother, Archer, and find his way back to his family were also a major source of conflict. Jock had stayed away from his childhood home of Silver Island in the years since the accident in which he lost his girlfriend and newborn son so that the rest of his family wouldn't be forced to take sides between him and Archer. His relationship with Daphne and Hadley helped him finally come to terms with that trauma and realize how much he missed having his family in his life, and that it was time to confront Archer and the secrets keeping them apart.

Overall, "Tempted by Love" was an incredibly moving story, and I highly recommend it for all fans of emotional contemporary romance. I look forward to reading more about Jock's siblings in future books.

*Review copy provided by the author. All opinions expressed are my own.

About "Tempted by Love"

Enjoy heart-meltingly beautiful and toe-curlingly sexy romance in TEMPTED BY LOVE, an emotionally riveting story about a man who has lost it all and carries a torturous secret, a divorced single mother who has everything to lose, and the little girl who helps them heal. Fall in love on the sandy shores of Silver Island, home to coffee shops, boat races, midnight rendezvous, and the sexy, sharp-witted Steeles. They have a penchant for pranks, a passion for loyalty, and a trunk full of secrets.

In TEMPTED BY LOVE…
Years ago, bestselling author Jack “Jock” Steele lost his girlfriend and baby in a horrific accident that drove a wedge between Jock and his family, keeping him from sharing a devastating secret. An aging philanthropist saved him from the brink of despair, and for a decade Jock cared for his ailing friend who became his family. Now his friend has passed away and left him a fortune—on the condition that he publishes another book. Jock is floundering, unsure how to rebuild the life he’d walked away from, much less find his muse, have another relationship with a woman, or even think about having a family of his own. But he can’t get his sweet, sexy new friend, single-mother Daphne Zablonski out of his head, and her adorable toddler must know something he doesn’t, because she wraps her tiny fingers around his heart and won’t let go.

Daphne has been through the wringer with her ex-husband and doesn’t believe true love is in the cards for her. Friends she can handle, but letting a man see her mom bod naked? Especially someone as strikingly handsome and unbelievably sexy as Jock? No, thank you. Besides, she has a toddler to chase after and enough fictional boyfriends to fill her lonely nights. If only her book boyfriends could make her body tingle the way one look from her mysterious neighbor does.

As Jock and Daphne’s friendship turns to something too tempting to deny, their lives take an unexpected turn. Can a man who has lost everything find redemption with a woman who has everything to lose? And then there’s that secret…

 

Check out an excerpt from TEMPTED BY LOVE here!  

 

Release Blitz + Excerpt + Review: "Revved to the Maxx" by Melanie Moreland

I am super excited to participate in the release blitz celebrating Melanie Moreland's latest novel, "Revved to the Maxx." I absolutely loved this sweet, funny, and heartwarming story, which featured endearing, well-developed characters and an engaging plot. Main characters Maxx and Charly made a great couple and it was a tremendous amount of fun to cheer them on to their HEA.

 

It was very easy for me to empathize with Charly, who found herself in a tough situation having lost her job and facing eviction from her apartment when the book began. I loved that she never gave up no matter what life threw at her, and instead fought back and did whatever was necessary to keep herself safe. She seemed like Maxx's opposite in a lot of ways, but the two of them connected from the moment they first saw each other. I loved the way they bantered, and when he was grumpy or barked at her, she just took it in stride. They really seemed to bring out the best in each other; Maxx needed Charly to get him out of his rut and convince him to take a chance on love again, while Charly needed Maxx to help her feel safe and be there for her in good times and in bad.

I really enjoyed the story's small-town feel, with its interesting, quirky side characters. I particularly liked Maxx's neighbor and friend Mary, who was a wonderful mediator when Charly and Maxx needed one and gave both of them some good advice. I also liked Brett and Stefano, the guys who came to work for Maxx in his garage, and would love to see each of them get stories of their own in the future.

Overall, I highly recommend "Revved to the Maxx" for all fans of contemporary romance and romantic comedy. I look forward to seeing what this author comes up with next! 

*Review copy provided by the author via Xpresso Book Tours. All opinions expressed are my own.

 

  

 About "Revved to the Maxx"

Maxx Reynolds needs help.

His shop, house, and life are all in a state of disarray.

In desperation, he turns to the internet to hire a new employee, thinking it will make his life easier.

What he expects is a fellow named Charly.

What he gets is a quirky, sassy, redhead named Charlynn who runs circles around him.

And she's all woman.

He can't stand her.

He can't keep his hands off her either. 

Read an Excerpt from "Revved to the Maxx"

On Monday, I carried a sandwich into the garage, setting it on the workbench. It had been a hectic morning, and I’d barely had time to talk to Maxx at all. At one point he’d received a call that he’d walked outside to take, and when he came back, his glower was deeper than usual. I knew better than to ask him about it, though. Instead, I stayed busy.

Maxx was talking to a customer as I went by. He was busy with his hands as he worked on a nice-looking Yamaha. But he glanced up, and I offered him a smile. “Your lunch, boss man, whenever you’re hungry.”

He nodded, his attention on the man he was talking to. The man chuckled. “Wow—she’s good. You get lunch?”

Maxx made a low noise, and the customer stepped forward, his hand outstretched. “Cam.”

I shook his hand. “Charly.”

“Pleasure.” He indicated Maxx. “You’re far cuter than this lug. You smile too.”

I had to laugh. “It’s part of the service now.”

“What else is included?” Cam teased.

“I want those numbers this afternoon, Charly,” Maxx snapped. “Stop flirting and get to work.”

Cam threw back his head in amusement. “I hope you get paid well for putting up with the attitude.”

“I think Maxx considers that one of the perks.”

Cam chuckled and looked at Maxx. “I like this one.”

Maxx snorted. Like a real blow the air through your nose and huff at the same time sort of snort. He glared at Cam. “Hands off my staff. I have a firm no mixing business with pleasure policy. Charly can’t date my customers.”

I managed to hide my surprise at his words. He had never mentioned anything of the sort. And I highly doubted Cam was looking for a date. His tone was teasing and friendly but not personal. He didn’t look remotely interested in me. His next words confirmed that.

Cam frowned. “My wife will be happy to hear that, Maxx. Relax. I was just being nice.” He eyed him. “You might want to try it.”

“I’m plenty nice.”

I had to turn and walk away to stop my laughter. Cam spoke again. “Back to the event. You have to go, Maxx.”

“I can’t. I’m booked solid.”

“Can’t you put it off?”

“No. I can’t just close the garage, Cam.”

“It’s an amazing opportunity.”

My steps faltered. What opportunity?

“I guess it’s one I will simply have to say no to.”

Cam huffed and called my name. “Charly!”

“Um, yes?”

“Can you reschedule your boss here so he can be gone for a while?”

I met Maxx’s expression. It was filled with warning, intense and dark. Telling me not to speak.

I decided to push back a little. I was tired of being quiet. “I can check.”

Cam smirked and crossed his arms. “Great.”

 

Review: Truth About Men & Dogs: A Small Town Billionaire Romantic Comedy

Truth About Men & Dogs: A Small Town Billionaire Romantic Comedy by Andrea Simonne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed "The Truth about Men and Dogs" by Andrea Simonne, a modern twist on one of my favorite classics, "Cinderella." In this retelling, orphaned main character Claire ran her own house cleaning business and lived in the tiny carriage house behind her father's ancestral home, where her stepmother and one of her two stepsisters resided. Fortunately for Claire, her stepmother was much nicer than the one in the classic tale, and only one of her stepsisters was "evil." Claire's modern-day "prince," billionaire Philip, was just as rich and handsome as one would expect, but he came across as kind of a jerk at first, and he was definitely a workaholic. Philip wasn't so bad once Claire got to know him, however, and their slow-burn romance was well-crafted.

Philip and Claire got to know each other through Philip's cousin, Doug, who had a huge crush on Claire and had finally convinced her to go on a date with him after months of begging. Unfortunately for Doug, he had to leave town suddenly to care for his overbearing mother, so he asked Philip to take his place on the date and talk him up to Claire. As Doug's absence lengthened and Philip and Claire spent more time together, Philip started to develop feelings of his own for Claire, who never really wanted to date Doug in the first place. Following her husband's affair with her stepsister Ivy and a messy divorce, Claire was determined to rebuild her life on her own terms, without a man.

The story took a few twists and turns that I didn't expect, but at least a few of them were because there were so many secondary plot threads involving Claire and Philip's family and friends. As a result, the story dragged in a few places, and the book was definitely longer than it needed to be. That said, I never lost interest in Philip and Claire's story, and it was very easy for me to cheer them on to their HEA.

Overall, "The Truth about Men and Dogs" was a funny, sweet, and surprisingly emotional story, and I highly recommend it for all fans of contemporary romance. I would read future books in this series.

*Review copy provided by the author via Hidden Gems Books. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Blog Tour + Excerpt + Review: "Secret Crush Seduction" by Jayci Lee

Today, I am pleased to join the blog tour celebrating the release of Jayci Lee's latest novel, "Secret Crush Seduction," book #2 in the Heirs of Hansol series. I really enjoyed the first book of this series, "Temporary Wife Temptation," when I read it earlier this year, and I've been looking forward to getting my hands on the follow-up ever since. Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy it quite as much as I had hoped, but even so, I liked main characters Adelaide and Michael and it was easy for me to cheer them on to their HEA.

 

When the story began, Adelaide was determined to overcome the party girl reputation of her past so that she could find a place for herself within her family's fashion empire, Hansol. In an effort to prove to her formidable grandmother that she had changed, she came up with the idea of hosting a charity event focused on autism awareness. She quickly realized that she would need help coordinating the event, particularly on the PR side. Her brother's best friend and Adelaide's childhood crush, Michael, was the perfect candidate for the job. It was immediately apparent that Michael and Adelaide were attracted to each other, but for various reasons, each was determined not to let the other know. However, as they worked together on the charity event, their feelings for each other grew, and they soon began an affair. They agreed that the affair would end as soon as the charity event was over, but would they really be able to stop?

I felt bad for Michael because he had clearly suffered when his parents divorced and again when his wife left him a few years before the story began. His reasons for being scared to start a relationship with Adelaide were completely understandable. That said, it really irritated me that Michael refused to share those reasons with Adelaide and instead made decisions about her future without even discussing them with her. Rather than acting like her partner, he often treated Adelaide like a child who was incapable of making decisions for herself. I think if he had been honest with Adelaide and worked together with her to find a solution to their problems, I would have liked this book a lot better than I did.

At any rate, even though I didn't enjoy this book as much as the first one in the series, I would still recommend it for fans of contemporary slow burn romance. I look forward to the next book in the series, which will feature Adelaide's cousin Colin.
 

*Review copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.  

 

 

About "Secret Crush Seduction"

She’s done waiting for what she really wants…
“If I don’t have you after that kiss, I’ll burn to dust from the inside out…”

Aspiring fashion designer Adelaide Song wants to prove she’s more than just a pampered heiress. All she needs is a little courage—and the help of deliciously sexy Michael Reynolds, her childhood crush and her brother’s best friend. But when her secret crush turns into an illicit liaison, Adelaide realizes mixing business with pleasure spells trouble for all her plans… 

 

Read an Excerpt from "Secret Crush Seduction"

With a jolt of alarm and a rush of air, he and Adelaide were suddenly standing at opposite ends of the kitchen table before his mind grasped what had happened. After several steadying breaths, he heard quiet, slippered footsteps coming down the hallway.

“Michael. Thank you for coming.” Mrs. Song stood in front of him with her hand extended. Her voice sounded faraway and muted, as though he was submerged under water. Somehow, he managed to fit his hand around hers, which she pulled back after a gentle squeeze. He noticed Adelaide’s father standing next to her.

“Mrs. Song,” he said, bending lightly at the waist in a proper greeting to both elders. “Mr. Song. It’s great to see you.”

“James. For heaven’s sake, Mike. I’ve been asking you to call me James for over a decade.” Adelaide’s father smiled widely and slapped him on the back. “I miss my son’s stoic mug. The least you could do is visit more often. Plus, you’re the polar opposite of Garrett, so I’d enjoy your company more.”

“Anytime, James.” Michael laughed, unaccountably pleased. Not that he’d ever admit it, but he missed his best friend, too.

“That was a lovely reunion.” Adelaide’s tart comment brought him to a full stop.

He searched her face, but her cheeky, playful facade hid her true thoughts from him. It was a Song family superpower. They could don any mask in a split second and hide all their feelings behind it. It was annoying as hell on a good day, but he hated those masks with a vengeance now.

Backing away from his turbulent thoughts, Michael started setting out the banchan on the informal kitchen table, reserved for casual family dinners. Once he was done putting out the small plates of accompaniments for the rice, next came the bowls of rice themselves, customized for each person’s appetite. Slightly below the rim of the bowl for Mrs. Song and piled in a gentle curve above the rim for James. He couldn’t help but smile when Adelaide handed him a bowl, piled high like shaved ice.

“Oh, you remembered,” he teased. Maybe they could pretend nothing happened earlier.

“Of course, I remembered. I cook double portions when you and Garrett are around. I’m surprised you guys don’t inhale the table.” Her tone was light and casual, but she didn’t meet his eyes. “Let’s go eat.”

Although he was distracted by their almost kiss, the home-cooked meal tasted fantastic. It nourished him, body and soul. Michael hoped it carried him through what she had planned for them.

She picked at her food, hardly eating anything at all, and took nervous peeks at her grandmother and him. Michael didn’t like that. He didn’t like it at all. When she put her spoon down and sipped her water, he tensed for whatever was coming.

“Hal-muh-nee,” she said, pausing to clear her throat. “Michael and I wanted to ask your permission to work on a charity event on behalf of Hansol.”

He nearly choked on a mouthful of short ribs.

“The two of you? A charity event?” James said, looking back and forth between them.

“Yoon-ah.” Mrs. Song usually switched to her grandchildren’s Korean names as a sign of affection or when she needed to soften the blow. “I don’t think you’re—” 

“I’m not asking for a permanent position at Hansol. At least not yet,” Adelaide interrupted, desperation creeping into her voice. “I know you’ve been holding me back because I’ve tarnished our family’s reputation before, but this could be my chance to turn that around. A chance to show the public that the youngest of the Songs has her act together.”

The eldest Song pressed her lips together with an inscrutable expression. Adelaide took that as her cue to continue. “And I know better than anyone I don’t have much hands-on experience. That’s why Michael has offered to help.”

The water he’d gulped after choking on the short ribs went down the wrong pipe, throwing him into a coughing fit. What the hell? I offered? Michael should stop this train wreck but shock and panic rampaged through his mind. He didn’t trust himself to be alone with Adelaide for more than a few minutes. There was no way he could spend extended periods of time with her and not slip up.

“Both of you trust and respect Michael, and he is our family’s PR specialist. He could help me make the right decisions for the charity event, and maximize the chance to rehabilitate my wild-child image.”

The table was eerily silent as Mrs. Song gazed down at her folded hands. Then she raised her head with a sigh.

“My reasons for ‘holding you back,’ as you put it, are not what you think,” she said softly. Michael gripped the sides of his chair. Adelaide deserved this chance, and he desperately wanted it for her even though she had chosen the wrong way to get it. “But I think your idea has promise, and your enthusiasm tells me you are determined to succeed.”

“Thank you, Hal-muh-nee.”

“Don’t thank me, yet. I have no intention of helping you, because this is your project and you must succeed on your own. You’re going to have to go through the proper channels at Hansol to receive the funds to put together the event. While Michael’s guidance would be appreciated, he could only advise you, not make your decisions for you.” Grace Song’s expression grew a shade harder. “Adelaide, you will be representing Hansol in your endeavors. You must act with utmost professionalism, and I don’t want so much as a whiff of scandal surrounding you while you’re working on behalf of Hansol. Remember, the company has a very proficient CSR department, which is capable of taking over the event if the need ever arises.”

“I won’t forget.” Adelaide lifted her chin. “I won’t disappoint you and Dad.”

James nodded solemnly. “I know you won’t, sweetheart.” 

 

Review: High Stakes

High Stakes by Robin Martin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I enjoyed "High Stakes" by Robin Martin, a funny and charming tale which reminded me of Sally Thorne's "The Hating Game." In this very short enemies-to-lovers romance, workplace rivals Pete and Kate were suddenly forced to work together in order to demonstrate their qualifications for the same promotion. The banter between them as they completed their project was quite amusing, and I especially liked when they begrudgingly recognized each other's strengths while still pretending to hate each other. There was very little in the way of character development because the story was so short, but it still managed to convey a good message about the importance of work-life balance.

I wasn't really a fan of the way the story ended because it didn't seem to leave much room for Pete and Kate's eventual HEA, but I suppose it worked as a HFN. In any event, I would recommend this novella for all romantic comedy fans looking for a cute story that can be enjoyed when you only have a short amount of free time. (I read this novella in under an hour.)

*Review copy provided by the author via Hidden Gems Books. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Review: Insanely Hot, Then Not

Insanely Hot, Then Not by Daniella Brodsky
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I wanted to like Daniella Brodsky's "Insanely Hot, Then Not" more than I actually did. It wasn't a terrible book, but the insta-love between main characters Lachlan and Scarlett was a little too over-the-top for me. They were both likeable characters, but there was virtually no relationship development between them; they shared heated glances across a crowded train car for the better part of a year, then pined for each other because Lachlan had to take a trip to Australia so they didn't see each other for a month. They finally spoke for the first time on the day Lachlan returned, went on their first date that same night, and somehow were "in love" by the time they went on their second date a couple days later.

Lachlan's relationship with Scarlett's young daughter, Zooey, was cute, although that also developed at lightning speed. I had to laugh at his efforts to teach her to call Scarlett "Mum" instead of "Mommy." However, I did not appreciate that Scarlett lied to Lachlan and kept Zooey a secret for so long. She kept piling lies on top of lies and I knew that things were going to go badly wrong between them because of it, and there was no good reason for all the secrecy. Lachlan was keeping secrets of his own, which bothered me for different reasons. Bottom line, the two of them were not very open with each other for most of the book, and it really made me doubt their feelings for each other.

Unfortunately, I don't think I can recommend this book, but I would give Daniella Brodsky another chance in the future.

*Review copy provided by the author via Hidden Gems Books. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Blog Tour + Review: "Only One Kiss" by Natasha Madison

I am thrilled to participate in the blog tour celebrating the release of "Only One Kiss" by Natasha Madison, the first book in her new Only One series. This book reads as a complete standalone, though it does appear to be a spinoff from Madison's earlier This Is series and features cameos from some of those characters. Even so, readers (like me) who are new to Madison's work will be able to start here without feeling lost at all.

I absolutely loved this funny, sweet, heartwarming, and heartbreaking story with its wonderful characters and engaging plot. I read most of the book in a single afternoon because I didn't want to put it down! It only took one chapter for me to fall completely in love with the male lead character, Ralph. The way he doted on his baby daughter Ariella was totally swoon-worthy. It was also incredibly endearing how awkward he was around his love interest, Candace, when they first met.
 

Candace was a genuinely kind and caring person, but even so, she was very good at standing up for herself and expressing what she wanted in life. I loved how she immediately fell under the spell of Ralph's baby daughter and treated her as if she were her own. She couldn't resist Ralph, either, despite knowing the obstacles they'd face in trying to build a relationship, but the attraction between them was too strong for either of them to ignore. Before he met Candace, Ralph was just existing for his daughter's sake; Candace was like a ray of sunshine who helped him move past his grief and guilt to find the happiness he so richly deserved. 

"Only One Kiss" was the first book I've ever read by Natasha Madison, but it certainly won't be the last. I highly recommend it for all fans of emotional contemporary romance and look forward to the next book in the series. 

 

*Review copy provided by the author via Wildfire Marketing Solutions. All opinions expressed are my own.  

 

 

About "Only One Kiss"

From USA Bestseller Natasha Madison comes a brand new hockey series, The Only One.

Ralph
Being traded to Dallas was a dream come true. I had everything I wanted, my game had never been better, and my wife was due to have our baby any day now.

What could go wrong?
Everything.

I was now raising our baby on my own. After hockey practice and games, I didn't have time to sleep, let alone make sure my social media was up to par.

I never thought I'd get a second chance at love.

Candace
When my hotshot brother was drafted in the NHL, he didn't have time to do his social media, so I took over for him. Little did I know it would become my career.

My plate was full with over fifty NHL players, and I wasn't taking on any new clients.

Yet when he showed up on my doorstep with the cutest little girl in the whole world, I couldn't say no.

I was just helping, but it turned into more than that. He's the man I've been waiting for.

All it takes is one touch, one night, one chance, and only one kiss.